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A new Christian prayer thread for 2014

999 replies

Tuo · 02/01/2014 00:58

Welcome to our new prayer thread for 2014. This is a safe and supportive place of prayer, where regulars, occasional visitors and lurkers, committed Christians and those just dipping a toe into the water are all equally welcome. Come and leave a prayer, tell us what’s going on in your life, bring your worries, hopes, fears and joys to God, and know that you will be prayed for.

We pray, in particular, for...

... amberlight, for her work raising awareness of autism in churches, and for her to know love and acceptance wherever she goes;

... Badvoc and her family, as they grieve for her dad; prayers too for her aunt who is seriously ill; and prayers for a good recovery from her gallstones operation;

... BananasForTed, praying for her mental health and for her difficult work situation, and also praying that she was able to go back to her church and that she found support there;

... BlackEyedSusan, for all the many things which she has to juggle in her life as a single parent; in particular, we pray for her mum's health, and for both her DC to receive the support that they need at school;

... BlessedAssurance, when she feels challenged because of her faith at her place of work; also for her pregnancy and for her eye problems;

... BoxOfDelights, for her to find somewhere good to live and a job;

... bountyicecream, thanking God for her renewed happiness after leaving a very difficult and abusive relationship, and praying that she will continue to grow in happiness and strength in the future;

... CharlotteCollinsisinherownplace, giving thanks for her new home and new job;

... Don'tsteponthemomeraths, thanking God that an MRI has shown her brain to be normal, and for the continued progress of her niece, little Grace, born prematurely;

... DutchOma and Bob, for Bob's health to be as stable as possible and for him to receive good care in the hospice; also praying for him to see some glimpses of light in what is, admittedly, a very difficult situation, so that his outlook may be less 'catastrophic'; and praying for Oma that she may find rest and peace of mind and support at this time;

... Gingercurl, giving thanks for the successful completion of her thesis and praying for her viva to go well; also for Ginger’s MIL who has been diagnosed with cancer;

... HadALittleFaithBaby, for all bugs to leave to Faith household; also for her neighbour who has cancer and for his family;

... JugglingFromHereToThere, for a job which interests and fulfils her;

... Kaykat, giving thanks that she is now settled and happy in her new home with her DS, and praying for her DS to cope well with his new situation and not allow his dad to influence him in a negative way; also praying that she will find a welcoming church community in her new place;

... MadHairDay, thanking God for a Christmas spent at home with her family, and praying for continued health in 2014; praying too for health and love and friendship for MHD’s DD;

... NeverKnowinglyUnderstood, for her relationship with her DS and for support for them to understand his anger and frustration and find ways to avoid it if possible;

... niminypiminy, for happiness in her new home;

... octopusinastringbag, thinking of her as she feels drawn to explore faith in more depth;

... PandaG, for her mum's health;

... PositiveAttitude and her family; in particular, at this time, for DD3, praying for a happy end to her pregnancy with no complications; also praying for PA's parents’ health, for her DD1's finances, for her DS's anxiety, and for PA as she awaits the outcome of a job application and misses her DH and DD4;

... revivingshower, praying for her back pain to ease and thanking God for her family who've been supporting her during this tough time;

... RoomForALittleOne, for her DD3 to stay well and to sleep well too, so that Room can get enough rest;

... RunRunRuby, thanking God that she has come to our thread and praying that her faith may be strengthened;

... SESthebrave, for all that she has to juggle in her life, with work and DC;

... SunshinemMum, praying for her and her family as they look for a new spiritual home after leaving their previous church; may they find the place that is right for them, and may it welcome them with open arms;

... thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts, for a more peaceful time now to recover from the hecticness that is Christmas, and for her academic work;

... weegiemum, giving thanks for her own better health, but praying for her stepmum and for Kat, who are both seriously unwell and for all in the family affected by their illnesses;

We pray also for all regular and occasional visitors, and those we haven't seen for a while, including: Bluetinkerbell, cloutiedumpling, EasyCompadre, FairPhyllis, fluffieduckie, FriendOfDorothy, GoodbyeRubyTuesday, harbinger and her family, JakeBullet, jan and her DD, ktef, LollipopViolet, MaryBS, notquiteagrownup, PloddingDaily, Soozi, thehorridestmumintheworld, trish5000, youretoastmildred, and zulubump, and for anyone I've forgotten to name-check (don't take it personally, please!). And we pray for those who read and pray but don’t post, for those who need our prayers but are afraid or too uncertain to post them, and for all those known to us in our own lives who need God’s love.

May God bless us all in 2014.

OP posts:
DontstepontheMomeRaths · 10/03/2014 23:58

Hello ladies

I'm over worked at the moment, lots of pressure at work with a new system that I need to move lots of our clients onto but somehow find time for all my usual jobs. Not enough hours in the day. All sorts of people breathing down my neck at the mo.

Outside of work I'm busy gearing up for a conference I'm helping to run for that fabulous course I help on.

So many balls in the air being juggled. I can't find time for mn. Just wanted to pop in to say hi.

Please pray for wisdom for every decision I make right now and protection. The enemy won't want this conference to be a success, as he sure won't want more Churches running a divorce recovery course.

Sorry for the fly by x

BlackeyedSusan · 11/03/2014 00:14

Thanks Tuo. I have been unblocking the bathroom basin, (will I ever learn not to do it at midnight?) which I got flowing nicely as all the gunk bubbled up into the bath. there then followed frantic prayers to get it to all flow back down the bath plug hole and out. I have been wiping up half a bathful of sand and other unidentifiable black gunk.

Thank God it is all back to normal.

I have also jiggled stuff about in the freezer as the top drawer is not freezing so well. veggies get consumed quite quickly so can survive a bit of only just frozen. we have been eating stuff up... out of the top drawer, which I discovered to be a problem after I fed the children tea from it. Oops. Here's to strong stomachs! (and a God who has protected me and mum from off food in the past that we were forced to eat because dad could not taste the offness and it was all we had and I have only just remembered about)

PositiveAttitude · 11/03/2014 19:33

Hello ladies, sorry for lack of posting. I have been lurking and praying.

We have been struggling once again with some big decisions. One has been made, DH will be coming home as planned in June, but only for a 2 month "holiday", then he will go back to Cambodia until December to finish his work there, although there are large financial implications to this and the church have given a "no" to a request for any financial support. (Never given us anything, church of 250 regular worshippers.......never give a penny to any mission work, just pay the wages and the electricity/gas bills etc........and then wonder why God is not honouring their "budget"!!!!!) Please pray that God guides people to give and support us in this. We know this is God asking us to do this again, so we rely on Him to provide......humanly speaking it makes no sense, but we have been here before and He has always come up trumps!! Grin

DS also has a big decision about his future. Please pray that he knows God's plan for him and will be guided to know the right path to choose. He will decide by the end of the week.

Tuo · 11/03/2014 23:02

Believe it or not, I was thinking about you earlier today, PA, and had already decided that tonight's prayer would be for you, so when you popped up on here when I opened the thread I knew that that instinct was correct.

I pray, then, for your DH - for his work in Cambodia, for the people working there with him, and for those his work in helping. I pray that his work will be blessed by the generosity of people in your own church and elsewhere so that he can bring it to the conclusion that he hopes for. I pray, too, for you - for your amazing support for his work. I know it will be hard to have him home for a visit and then to see him go again, and I pray for comfort for you as you await his definitive return. I pray for your DS, that he is able to make an informed and confident decision about his future, which is the right one for him. I also pray for all your DDs, but especially for DD3 and for your DGS, praying that he is growing and developing well and that your DD3 is able to get enough rest to stay well and not be too exhausted. Finally, I pray for your parents' health and for those who are helping to look after them.

'He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust".' (Psalm 91)

OP posts:
madhairday · 12/03/2014 13:39

Sorry I've not fulfilled my prmoise re Lenten readings. Been in bed since saturday, just as dh coming home went down with the most horrible infection I have had in ages I haven't been able to get onto the compter til today as have been so immobile.

feel like crying. it hurts so, so much. how much more can i take of this.

it does seem like a bit better than a few days back. so avoiding hospital for now.

sorry for the moan. just reading a thread i was trying to contribute to back on sat but really shouldn't have as I was going downhill fast and just made things more unclear (the offended by christians thread)

dont have the energy now to do anything about it

feel so useless

but can pray and do pray for all of you

Dutchoma · 12/03/2014 13:48

Sweetheart MHD do only the prayers you can manage for now. Put yourself in the light of God's love and rest. So sorry to hear of your pain.

So glad dh got home alright, that was prayer very quickly answered. Now I am just praying for you that you will let God cherish you and give you the strength to carry on.

PositiveAttitude · 12/03/2014 14:50

Tuo thank you so much, it is so what I needed today.

MHD prayers for you, for God's love to surround you really tangibly.

DO ((((hugs)))) to you and prayers also for you to feel very loved and special.

BlackeyedSusan · 12/03/2014 15:03

not at all useless mhd. sorry you are feeling so down at the moment, should imagine part of that is due to the infection. hugs to you

i am struggling. the time has come to grieve for dad and the marriage and all the stuff that is so difficult being a lone parent. the grieving had to be put off while mum was not coping and while I got on with coping with the children. apologies in advance for being a bit self centred and whinging and a bit crap at prayer. what has started it? both children have been invited to parties and that means trying to find someone else to have the other one. few people really understand how hard that can be when they have parents/husbands/even exes on tap.

Dutchoma · 12/03/2014 15:22

Whinge away and let us support you in prayer

BlessedAssurance · 12/03/2014 15:22

MHD i pray that God will comfort you and strengthern you. I was on that thread and i came off it feeling foolish. I could not explain myself and i came across very inarticulate. I never join those kind of threads they do my head in. I felt the same as you and decided to not be there any longer.

PA i pray for your husband's safety and his work, i pray that God will meet all your needs regardless of your current situation= "Your God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory". May the Good Lord give wisdom to your DS in choosing the way that is right for him and that whichever way he takes it will be Spirit led.

Bes you always manage to cheer me up somehow. Your posts would be funny if it wasn't real life,somehow there is always humour in them and not the desperation one would expect from someone going through all you have to go through. May God watch over you and your LO. May you always keep that humorous side that makes you the person that you are. You are a powerhouse, strong and composed. I could and will learn so much from you. Stay blessed.

GingerCurl · 12/03/2014 21:07

Praying as I read through. Have been lurking as usual and there is so much to pray for.

Our vicar's final service on Sunday was a lovely Celtic communion evening service. (I love the words in that service. They are so very much to the point, almost terse, yet somehow poetic at the same time.) I cried and others cried. Luckily, I was armed with lots of tissues. I'm still not happy about it all, but don't feel quite so torn up and unsettled now. Thank you for your prayers. Now he has left and the internal politicking, positioning and throwing-about-of-weight has already started. Sad

And there is now less than two weeks to go for my viva Shock and my preparations are partly scuppered by fear and nerves. I realise that on the day, I have go in assertive, firing on all cylinders and guns blazing (in a good way). Unfortunately, my internal examiner has a knack of making me a gibbering, blundering wreck and I've never met the external examiner. Argh! I keep promising myself: after this, never ever, EVER again!

Tuo · 12/03/2014 22:52

Much to pray for here today.

Darling MHD, I am so sorry that you have been feeling so unwell. Please don't feel useless. You are anything but. I pray that you feel much better very soon and that in the meantime you are able to rest and feel God's love around you, and his peace within you.

And for you, too, BES, I pray for peace. You never whinge, and you always have that wry humour that BA talks about. I pray that in grieving for what you have lost you also find, somehow, miraculously, hope for the future. And I pray that you find the support you need.

And Gingercurl, I pray for peace of mind for you as you prepare for your viva. Remember that it's your work and you only need to be able to support and defend what you have written - you are not expected to come up with anything new. Can you get someone to do a 'mock' viva for you? I pray that God will be with you in your preparation so that you are able, on the day, to give a great account of yourself and of your work.

I was searching for a prayer to post for today, and I found this very short passage in the Church of England's order of Compline for today. I seemed appropriate to many here today, so I thought I'd post it:

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11.28-30)

OP posts:
amberlight · 13/03/2014 05:21

Still praying for each of you

DontstepontheMomeRaths · 13/03/2014 07:34

BES I have no family who help me and my ex sees the children for a few hours a week only. My approach to parties is to leave DD there without me, but she's 6 now. I always ask the organiser if it's ok. She doesn't mind either. If it's a party for DS I ask if I can bring DD along so I can keep an eye on DS. I always feel cheeky but he needs me there often, as he can get so stressed. But then again, he doesn't get too many invites. Still no final diagnosis for him. It's a long road. But he's very aspie. And his needs are different to your sons in some respects. So what works for me, may not for you but I do understand the juggling involved with 2 kids and only one of you.

I'm praying for you BES for understanding by other parents, solutions that work for your situation and children, and things generally to get a bit easier Sad You've been through so much.

Lots to pray for on here, PA, MHD etc thinking of you all.

I seem to have one cold after another this Winter. Just a constant sore throat. I'm very run down from all my work, part time employed and voluntary and my very poor sleeper DS Glad the sun is out though.

BlackeyedSusan · 13/03/2014 13:38

I am off to babysit for a friend... eek.

GingerCurl · 13/03/2014 14:38

Praying.

Thanks TUO. My supervisor and a retired lecturer held a mock viva with me today which much to my surprise went rather well. They gave me some handy pointers here and there, but nothing really major. So now I'm need to work on adding confidence, conviction and enthusiasm to the mix. My problem is that I still just see what I think of as the weaknesses in the research and not its strengths and what it actually contributes.

Loving the past few days' sunny weather here.

Bluetinkerbell · 13/03/2014 21:37

Prayers appreciated for God to show me what to do with regards to a job interview I've been invited to...

Tuo · 13/03/2014 23:29

Tonight's prayer is for Momey.

I pray for your work to be manageable and for those around you to be patient as you get on with all you have to do. I pray for the conference that you're helping to run - that it will be a success and help lots more people. I pray for better health for you, and more rest. I pray for your DS, as he awaits a diagnosis, and also for your DD, and that you receive the support you need with the children. Above all, I pray for all those balls that you keep juggling to stay in the air, so that you feel on top of all that you have to do, even when there's a lot of stuff to be done.

I just found this prayer which seems appropriate for you, and for me, and for all of us busy people on here with our busy lives. Praying this for myself tonight:

Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you do.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.
Above all,
I give you my heart that you may love in me
your Father and all mankind.
I give you my whole self that you may grow in me,
so that it is you, Lord Jesus,
who live and work and pray in me. Amen.

OP posts:
BlessedAssurance · 14/03/2014 11:45

Lord, i feel so overwhelmed today that i wouldn't know where to start. My family is driving me bonkers. My siblings will not help financially to take care of our parents. I have 6 of them. All able bodied. Some will not work and have moved into our parents' home. That means whatever problem that arises, they call me. What's making me boil today is my sister calling and telling me " your father is very sick" your father?? I would love it if they called me one day and said" daddy is sick but we have pooled money together and send him to a doctor". That would be fabulous, just once.

I know God has tremendously blessed me, but like everybody i have a family, bills and right now am not even working. I also have financial problems but my crime was to leave my home country, even worse crime was to intermarry so money should just flow out of my husband's ears. I built a lovely house for my parents which they could rent out. They can't because their children in their 30s and 40s moved in with them. I can't win either way and right now i do not feel any love for my siblings whatsoever.

It saddens me to even think about it but when that day comes when mum and dad go to be with the Lord, i will change my number. No contact until they learn to do things for themselves. I am always guilt tripped into helping out because i am financially better but my question is if i was not around, would they really starve? Would their families die or they would look for ways to support their families. I worked as a maid right after high school because i wanted to be independent of my parents. I took any job i could get just get out of their house. I am not the first born even. Why can't they do the same? My sister who has no education of any kind refuses to take any of the low paid jobs because they are hard..Better to be unemployed than work i guess. Two children and no husband who pays child support and you sit at home? This is Africa so no benefits either. Are we siblings or not?.

I left home at 17. I moved to another country and if i had let language problems come in the way i would be doing a horribly paid job with no security whatsoever. I went back to school, difficult as it was, took A levels in a language i barely spoke but by God's grace did very well. Now i will be going to university. I will be 36 when i start uni. Not young at all but by God i want my life to be better and do not sit around moping blaming my parents for my horrible life as they call it. God help me because i really want to tear them into pieces. I did the only reasonable thing i could when sister called. I hung up on her. Sorry people. I just needed to let it out because right now i am not breathing that well. God please help me lose the hatred that i feel right now.

Dutchoma · 14/03/2014 12:13

That is a very hard situation BA. I don't know what to say, apart from that I think you did the right thing hanging up on your sister. Now take a deep breath and make yourself a cup of tea? Or have glass of water. No, your family will not starve if you do not support them. You have done enough in the past, now it is their turn. The fact that you have some money is no reason for you to spend it on them. Keep your phone turned off for a bit and look after yourself.

BlessedAssurance · 14/03/2014 12:25

Thank you Oma. I have my 3yr old at home and she is the reason i am holding it together. After i took that phone call she came over and asked me what was wrong. I said grandpa was sick and she asked me if she could comfort me. That made Grin. If she only knew. Oma i have done so much for each and every one of my siblings financially. I asked them what they all wanted to do, and offered to help them. They gave me their ideas which sounded good, but not one of them came to fruitition. My parents never ask for anything bless them, they are wonderful and mum hates it when i give money because she says they have to be responsible for their families and she is right. I just want to be able to say no without feeling horribly guilty afterwards. Thank you for reading Oma. I made myself a cup and i feel better alreadySmile.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/03/2014 12:31

BA: Brew Cake ((hugs))

They are adults. They will have to learn to look after themselves. When you are calm, think what is reasonable support/contact for you to give (not necessarily the money sort of support.) right now though a break from it all sounds a good idea plus a good rant at God.

Answers to prayer. friend is having one of my children on successive weekends so I can take the other child to a party. in return I babysat for her yeaterday... my ears have nearly recovered. I am also taking her child to one of the parties. the friendship is back on track!

someone is going to babysit my food in her freezer for a bit.(yay) the refrigerator is not refrigerating and the freezer is not freezing. the top drawer of the freezer has potential to act as a fridge.

BlackeyedSusan · 14/03/2014 12:32

go with your mums advice.

Dutchoma · 14/03/2014 12:39

Good girl. And you are right to take it 'to the Lord in prayer'. Now rest and trust and let go of your anger, slowly breathe it away.
You are right to be angry, but you cannot hold on to it. Give your little dd a hug from Oma and carry on doing what you were doing before that call came.

BlessedAssurance · 14/03/2014 12:46

Bes thank you. My problem is i don't know how to detach. I honestly feel guilty for having been blessed so much and it is not even financial. Yes we do ok but are far from rich. I have one of the loveliest husbands alive. Every day i am awed at this highly educated, goodlooking, polite, loving man calling himself my husband. I come from the back of beyond in my home country. He did not care. He saw beyond what i was willing to put before him and from day one wanted only the best for me. God has humbled me with this blessing. My marriage stands firm and we have a gorgeous girl with another blessing on the way. He is there, always and for me that is the best blessing ever. The reason why i find it easy to part with money is i never had any so when i have i do not hesitate to share, and God keeps blessing me as well. Thank you all for just reading. I had reached breaking point and just felt horrible.

I have a date with God tonight after Dd is in bed. I am mad and we are going to discuss it.

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